Development
The chassis was based on a 1979 Grand Prix and maintained the original brakes and suspension control arms in an effort to keep cost down. At 2,600 lbs and over 400 horse power on hand it should be fast. First time out was at the demanding Sear Point Raceway (Infenion). Test Drivers were Brandon Kraus and Miguel Caparros. It was fast with predictable handling, in short time both drivers were setting fast laps for the day. The Young Mr Kraus got to test his abilities and brute strength when the engine pulley came off and the vehicle lost the power steering in the middle of the infamous Turn 2. Kraus was able to spin and avoid contact and brought the truck in for the day. It was a good day all in all. Next test was 3 weeks later at Laguna Seca. The high speeds attainable at Laguna Seca, played into the strengths of the truck. The Truck was the fastest car on the track. It was decided at the last minute to enter the 3 hour enduro that afternoon. Starting from the last position, Brandon Kraus was at the lead by the end of the first lap.Pulling away to a two lap lead after the first hour. At the first pit stop the lead was given back as the crew was not prepared for fast refueling and the drivers change in a race truck is rather tedious. Rich Rogers took of and drove at a more conservative pace and lost two laps to the leading BMW M3's. The second pit stop and driver change went better and only one additional laps. Now down 3 laps former Trans Am driver Lou Lerner took off matching earlier lap times. On the last lap Lou passed the lead BMW for the lead having made up all the lost laps. At Laguna's turn 11 with the checker in sight, leading by 100 yards, the heat and exhaustion caused Lou to go into the turn too fast and spun into the sand trap.
Read more about this topic: American Stock Car Challenge
Famous quotes containing the word development:
“Other nations have tried to check ... the fulfillment of our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions.”
—John Louis O’Sullivan (1813–1895)
“Such condition of suspended judgment indeed, in its more genial development and under felicitous culture, is but the expectation, the receptivity, of the faithful scholar, determined not to foreclose what is still a question—the “philosophic temper,” in short, for which a survival of query will be still the salt of truth, even in the most absolutely ascertained knowledge.”
—Walter Pater (1839–1894)
“And then ... he flung open the door of my compartment, and ushered in “Ma young and lovely lady!” I muttered to myself with some bitterness. “And this is, of course, the opening scene of Vol. I. She is the Heroine. And I am one of those subordinate characters that only turn up when needed for the development of her destiny, and whose final appearance is outside the church, waiting to greet the Happy Pair!””
—Lewis Carroll [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson] (1832–1898)